"Did you go through the list for the auction, yet?" Nasha was sitting next to the dining table looking through the items in the list.

"Most of them are common grade items. I'm afraid they won't bring in many mana stones." Mason tried to look through the items and figure out their potential value but it was impossible. Understanding the market value required intense knowledge of the commodities and Mason has nothing to compare it to. Most of the items looked cheap in his eyes.

"Most of our customers are from the clans and the nobles. We rarely get the royals. From what I know, the sects directly give good items to the royal family in exchange for daily necessities."

"I'll have to visit a proper market to understand the going rate of these materials. Is it really not possible to open the auction house to the commoners?"

"It is open to commoners. Anyone can enter supreme sects auction house. It's just that most commoners are too poor or scared to interact with the rich."

Mason smiled listening to her words. "So even if they bought something they might not be able to keep them?"

"More or less. I'm not sure. It's better for us as well. Common folk wouldn't have enough spirit stones anyways. Sect doesn't lack copper and silver coins."

Mason looked at the list of items on the list. "If everything sells, then you should have enough to break through to the apprentice mage stage."

"Ok. I'll go back to my room and let you deal with this." Nasha reached for Mason's plate.

"You aren't my maid anymore. Let go of it. I can clean on my own." Blushing, Nasha returned back to the kitchen with her plate while Mason returned back to the list.

The auction went well. The items sold at the expected rate but there was no thrill to it. Mason sat back and checked the sales to ensure that everything went right. In the end they were able to receive 32 mana stones, barely enough for Nasha to break through.

"What are your plans, Mason?" Nasha joined Mason after the auction.

"It went surprisingly well. I was expecting some trouble." Mason was deep in thought. He was certain that something would have happened. But nothing out of the ordinary happened.

"No one would bother to harm our auction house. This area belongs to the supreme sect." There was pride in her voice. "I'm heading in to try and break through. If I succeed then I can join the magic academy."

"Magic academy? Are you planning to leave the sect?" Mason was confused with this decision.

"All mages have to register themselves with the academy. It's mandatory to prevent illegal use of witchcraft. It will help me grow stronger and I'll get power mages to help me train."

"Does your father know?"

Nasha nodded to him in response. "I think he was using you as a last ditch effort to keep me by his side. I guess he doesn't want to say goodbye?"

"Goodbye?"

"It's impossible to return back to the supreme sect once I join the mage academy. Cultivation and witchcraft doesn't mix well."

"You didn't tell me."

"I was going to. I didn't expect to breakthrough this fast. I'll go back now." Nasha leaned in to give him a gentle peck on his cheek before returning to her room.

****

'What do I do now?' Mason was in a dilemma. Ever since he transmigrated, Nasha was always with him. Amnesia had given him an escape helping him to hide the facts about his origin but with Nasha gone, he was worried about how his future would develop. Thankfully, returning to the sect was an option but Mason has no idea how to continue with his life. He was stuck at the first level and so far he received no golden fingers or any systems. If this continues, he would have to become a servant in the sect. 'Free food and accommodation isn't that bad.'

Mason eventually slept after deciding to talk to Elder Connie before making a decision.

****

"You wish to return back to the sect?" Connie was enjoying herbal tea when Mason entered letting her know of the news. "Why the hurry? Most disciples would try to break out of the mountain while you want to go back?"

"Elder, with Nasha leaving, I have no reason to be here. I can't cultivate and I am of no use to the sect here. At the sect, at least I can be of some help serving the younger generation."

"Helping Nasha become the apprentice mage was the reason why you left the mountain? Did you not have any other goal?" The elder enjoyed sipping the tea leaving Mason to ponder his options.

"No. I came down partly to help Nasha but also to rediscover my cultivation."

"Then why are you running away half way? Maybe the cultivation world might not be suitable for you but that doesn't mean you can't try other things. You are already a beginner. Why not try other things that the world has to offer you before returning to the sect. I'm not asking you to abandon the sect but travel a little and understand the world. It is as important if not more to understand your position in this grand cosmos. I've never heard of anyone losing their cultivation but the cosmos must have a use for you."

"What if my destiny is the supreme sect?"

"Then your destiny will eventually lead you back to the sect. Don't be afraid to confront the world. Returning to the safety of four walls to protect yourself from whatever is haunting you. A cultivator would never run away when he's confronted with difficulties. Maybe that's why you couldn't comprehend your cultivation."

Mason stood silent thinking of a way to help him stay in the sect but the calm face made him understand that returning to the sect was not possible, at least for the time being.

"Don't bother. I won't let you return to the sect for the next two years. If you're unsure where to start, maybe the city of mages might be a good place to start. You could keep an eye on Nasha as well."

'Is that it? You just want me to be with her?' Mason stared at the elder who was hell bent on forcing him to start with the girl.

"If you are willing, I can allow you to receive an allowance from the sect and arrange a place for you to stay. Just for two years."

"Just for two years."